By Everyday Royalties Editorial • Sep 29, 2025
How to Compare Job Offers Using Total Compensation
By Everyday Royalties Editorial • Sep 29, 2025
Two “$90,000” jobs can produce very different lifestyles. The trick is to compare total compensation and convert it into expected take‑home.
1) Normalize Pay Frequency
Convert everything to annual or monthly so you’re not comparing biweekly to monthly apples.
2) Salary + Variable Pay
Document base, bonus target, and commission structure. For roles with On‑Target Earnings (OTE), confirm the guaranteed base separately.
3) Equity
Understand type (RSUs vs options), vesting, refreshers, and potential value. Treat equity as a range, not a single number.
4) Benefits
Health premiums, HSA contributions, 401(k) match, and stipends can swing the outcome by thousands per year.
5) Taxes & Location
State/local taxes and remote multipliers change net pay. Estimate take‑home for each offer in your actual tax jurisdiction.
Scorecard Template
- Annualized base
- Bonus target (and payout history)
- Equity (type, vesting, refresher cadence)
- Benefits (premiums, match, stipends)
- Net pay estimate (monthly)
Offer Modeler: A Simple Comparison Grid
| Component | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Base (annual) | — | — |
| Bonus target | — | — |
| Equity (annualized) | — | — |
| Benefits net cost | — | — |
| Estimated net (monthly) | — | — |
Negotiation Tips
- Anchor on market data from multiple sources.
- Negotiate total comp (base, bonus, equity refresher cadence).
- Ask about remote/location multipliers and leveling.